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Sheriff's Office Recruitment Fair draws a crowd

Ashley Thomas, a telecommunicator with the Henderson County Sheriff's Office, talks about her job with an interested recruit at the Sheriff's Office's second recruitment fair in the lobby of the Henderson County Law Enforcement Center Wednesday morning. The two-day fair welcomed a crowd of close to 150 possible recruits last week and this week.

Published: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 5:41 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 5:41 p.m.

A throng of eager recruits stood outside the Henderson County Law Enforcement Center Jan. 15 waiting for its doors to open... doors that might lead to a chance to serve.

They came Wednesday morning, too. Close to 150 possible recruits, in all, showed up for the Henderson County Sheriff's Office's first round of in-house recruitment fairs Jan. 15 and Wednesday.

"We're looking for good, motivated folks, who have a strong work history... and a clean background," said Lt. Jason Brown of the Sheriff's Office's Professional Standards Division, grinning at the turnout the two-day fair had reaped.

Sixty-five to 70 possible recruits, representing a wide range of ages, both certified and non-certified, attended the first fair. Department representatives suspected they saw even more on Wednesday.

To see the growing interest in people flocking to join the Sheriff's Office "validates what we're trying to do," Brown said. "It was a long, hard road from where we were to where we want to go, but we're well on our way."

When Sheriff Charles McDonald took office in March 2012, he said the department was grappling with low morale, a tainted public persona and a lack of recognition for stellar performance, training and career development. McDonald recruited committees from throughout the ranks of telecommunications, detention and patrol to brainstorm solutions.

A recruitment committee, chaired by Detective Emanuel Zaragoza, was formed in November 2012. Now a recruitment unit, the board of volunteers came up with two main goals: to actively recruit as many qualified candidates as possible, from various ethnicities, and to inform and educate the public about what the Sheriff's Office does.

They developed brochures and sent in "boots to recruit" at busy events like the Apple Festival and the Mountain State Fair. They developed a recruiting video, paid for by the state, with the help of the Western North Carolina Justice Academy. And on Wednesday, representatives from different departments were on hand to answer questions and lead interested candidates on behind-the-scene tours.

"I'm looking for a change," said Brian Bass, a 2009 Fletcher Academy graduate who now works in retail.

Bass said that he learned about the fair through friends who work at the Sheriff's Office. His goal is to one day be an investigator.

Although he does not have certification in Basic Law Enforcement Training — a requirement for sworn deputies — his friends encouraged him to come. Training is provided for new recruits to the sheriff's detention center or telecommunication staff. Those willing to work hard to rise through the ranks are offered training and promotion opportunities to help them get there.

Zaragoza started out as a civilian cook in the detention center 12 years ago. Today, he serves as a detective in the Criminal Investigations Division and Drug Enforcement Unit.

Bass considered filling out an application as he stood in line at the registration table Wednesday, listening to his friend, a deputy in the detention center, entice an interested candidate.

"I think this would be a nice place to work," he smiled.

Brown said this month's recruitment fairs are the first of many they hope to have. Recruiters plan to man booths at local job fairs through colleges and universities and at festivals. They will also visit high schools to drum up support for the sheriff's new cadet program, which aims to mold and mentor young recruits so that when they are ready to join the force, they'll be joining a family.

<p>A throng of eager recruits stood outside the Henderson County Law Enforcement Center Jan. 15 waiting for its doors to open... doors that might lead to a chance to serve.</p><p>They came Wednesday morning, too. Close to 150 possible recruits, in all, showed up for the Henderson County Sheriff's Office's first round of in-house recruitment fairs Jan. 15 and Wednesday.</p><p>"We're looking for good, motivated folks, who have a strong work history... and a clean background," said Lt. Jason Brown of the Sheriff's Office's Professional Standards Division, grinning at the turnout the two-day fair had reaped.</p><p>Sixty-five to 70 possible recruits, representing a wide range of ages, both certified and non-certified, attended the first fair. Department representatives suspected they saw even more on Wednesday.</p><p>To see the growing interest in people flocking to join the Sheriff's Office "validates what we're trying to do," Brown said. "It was a long, hard road from where we were to where we want to go, but we're well on our way."</p><p>When Sheriff Charles McDonald took office in March 2012, he said the department was grappling with low morale, a tainted public persona and a lack of recognition for stellar performance, training and career development. McDonald recruited committees from throughout the ranks of telecommunications, detention and patrol to brainstorm solutions. </p><p>A recruitment committee, chaired by Detective Emanuel Zaragoza, was formed in November 2012. Now a recruitment unit, the board of volunteers came up with two main goals: to actively recruit as many qualified candidates as possible, from various ethnicities, and to inform and educate the public about what the Sheriff's Office does.</p><p>They developed brochures and sent in "boots to recruit" at busy events like the Apple Festival and the Mountain State Fair. They developed a recruiting video, paid for by the state, with the help of the Western North Carolina Justice Academy. And on Wednesday, representatives from different departments were on hand to answer questions and lead interested candidates on behind-the-scene tours.</p><p>"I'm looking for a change," said Brian Bass, a 2009 Fletcher Academy graduate who now works in retail. </p><p>Bass said that he learned about the fair through friends who work at the Sheriff's Office. His goal is to one day be an investigator. </p><p>Although he does not have certification in Basic Law Enforcement Training — a requirement for sworn deputies — his friends encouraged him to come. Training is provided for new recruits to the sheriff's detention center or telecommunication staff. Those willing to work hard to rise through the ranks are offered training and promotion opportunities to help them get there.</p><p>Zaragoza started out as a civilian cook in the detention center 12 years ago. Today, he serves as a detective in the Criminal Investigations Division and Drug Enforcement Unit.</p><p>Bass considered filling out an application as he stood in line at the registration table Wednesday, listening to his friend, a deputy in the detention center, entice an interested candidate.</p><p>"I think this would be a nice place to work," he smiled.</p><p>Brown said this month's recruitment fairs are the first of many they hope to have. Recruiters plan to man booths at local job fairs through colleges and universities and at festivals. They will also visit high schools to drum up support for the sheriff's new cadet program, which aims to mold and mentor young recruits so that when they are ready to join the force, they'll be joining a family.</p><p>Reach Weaver at emily.weaver@blueridgenow.com or 828-694-7867.</p>